Sintering effects of mullite-doping on mechanical properties of bovine hydroxyapatite

In this study, sintering effects on microstructural behavior of bovine derived hydroxyapatite doped with powder mullite are considered in the temperature range between 1000°C and 1300°C. Results show that maximum values of both compressive strength and microhardness are achieved in the samples sintered at 1200°C for all mullite additions of 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5wt%. Moreover, above 1000°C, decomposition of HA and new phase formations such as whitlockite and gehlenite play a major role in both compressive strength and microhardness properties which increase up to 10wt% mullite reinforcement.